(Image source from: Thehindu.com)

AP Panchayat Polls: YSRCP leads the race:- The first phase of the local body polls in Andhra Pradesh completed yesterday and over 80 percent polling has been reported by the end of the day. The counting started in the evening and continued till midnight. The leading YSRCP is leading the race slightly and TDP is said to have given tough competition as per the results. YSRCP won 500 Panchayats unanimously while TDP won close to 40 panchayats unanimously. YSRCP leaders announced that they would sweep 90 percent of the panchayats in the polls but the results are completely different. BJP and Janasena alliance failed to make an impact in the polls. The elections are held for 2723 panchayats in the state along with 20,157 ward members.

“The State Election Commission expresses its satisfaction on completion of Phase-I elections to Gram Panchayats in the state. The percentage of polling recorded is 81.42, which is satisfactory. Krishna District has recorded the highest percentage of 85.06,” told the State Election Commission. YSRCP is leading in over 1100 panchayats and TDP is behind with over 950 panchayats. Others are leading in the race in 40 panchayats. YSRCP failed to show clear dominance in the polls. The local body polls in Andhra Pradesh will be conducted in four phases which will be concluded by February 21st.